March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month
ACS is proud to join many organizations across the U.S. including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Optometric Association, and Prevent Blindness to celebrate Workplace Eye Wellness Month.
During Workplace Eye Wellness Month this March, we would like to remind you of a few tips to help protect your eyes while on the job. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, more than 2,000 eye injuries occur on the job every day and about one in 10 of them require missed workdays to recover. OSHA reports that nearly three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection at the time of their accident. Of the total amount of work-related eye injuries, 10 to 20 percent will cause temporary or permanent vision loss in the affected employees.
And, while many people think that eye injuries primarily occur in manufacturing, construction or trade jobs, nearly 40 percent of work-related eye injuries occur in offices, healthcare facilities, laboratories and similar environments.
Flying objects, tools, particles, chemicals and harmful radiation, are the causes of most eye injuries. And in many cases, implementing safe work practices and utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment could prevent them entirely.
Here are a few tips to help protect your eyes while on the job:
Always wear the appropriate safety eyewear for your job site or role, even if you are just passing through a hazardous area.
If working in an area with particles or dust, be sure to wear safety glasses with side shields to protect against flying objects.
When working with chemicals, always wear safety goggles or face shields to protect against splashing.
When working around hazardous radiation like welding, lasers or fiber optics, be sure to use special-purpose safety goggles and helmets designed specifically for the task.
In addition, because one of the many negative effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is the increase in digital screen time for many remote workers, it is important raise awareness of digital eye strain and providing tips on ways to decrease the effects of increased screen time.
Symptoms of digital eye strain, also referred to as computer vision syndrome, include tired, burning or itching eyes, dry eyes, blurred vision and/or headache. To help reduce the effects, it is recommended:
Place your screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and a little bit below eye level.
Use a document holder placed next to your screen. It should be close enough so you don’t have to swing your head back and forth or constantly change your eye focus.·
Change your lighting to lower glare and harsh reflections. Glare filters over your digital screens can also help.
Get a chair you can adjust. Your chair should allow you to adjust the height so that your eyes rest either straight ahead or slightly downward.
Choose screens that can tilt and swivel. A keyboard that you can adjust is also helpful.
Computer glasses with yellow-tinted lenses that block blue light can help ease digital eye strain by increasing contrast.
Anti-reflective lenses reduce glare and increase contrast and also block blue light from digital devices.
Take frequent breaks by using the “20-20-20” rule. Every 20 minutes look away from your screen and look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a chance to reset and replenish themselves.
Remember - something as simple as putting on a pair of safety glasses or adjusting the way you view a monitor can prevent serious eye injuries. These injuries are painful, cause many lost workdays and sometimes lead to permanent vision loss. During the month of March, and year-round, it is important to remember to wear the appropriate safety eyewear and take frequent breaks to avoid digital eye strain.
If you have any questions or concerns about eye safety at work or you would like further guidance on implementing these strategies, contact us today.